A few years ago, I made my first pilgrimage to the Gilroy Garlic Festival. This popular Northern California event is often ranked as one of America’s best summer food festivals. I asked my friend Cesar to join me because he grew up in Gilroy and had good memories, having been to the festival every year as a child. He also shared some of his best tips for surfing this popular (and spicy!) Event.
Here are our tips for getting the most out of the Gilroy Garlic Festival:
- Plan to get there when the event opens. First, if you drive, you will need to park in a far lot and wait for the shuttle buses to take you to the event. Second, going early helps you beat the crowds that arrive later in the afternoon.
- Consider bringing Caltrain to the event. The festival organizes transfers from Gilroy Caltrain Station if you purchase the combined event ticket + Caltrain ticket online.
- Go on Friday or Sunday. The first and last days generally have fewer attendees than on Saturday.
- Buy your tickets in advance. Ordering tickets through the festival’s Eventbrite listing will save you time online and money by opting for the Gourmet Alley ticket + gourmet food combo ticket.
- Do you live locally (Gilroy, Morgan Hill, San Martin, Hollister, San Juan Bautista, or Aromas)? If so, you can save $ 5 per ticket by going on Friday, which is designated as “Local Day.”
- Prepare for the heat: Gilroy is very hot (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit) during the summer. Dress in light colors, wear sunscreen and a hat, and bring a bottle of water.
- Save space to try as many things as you can. Food stalls and vendors serve all kinds of garlic treats like garlic-infused olive oil, vinegar, mayonnaise, hot sauce, mustard, and garlic jelly.
- Don’t miss out on the free garlic ice cream samples! Don’t be afraid, it is surprisingly sweet and rich in vanilla. The garlic was noticeable at first glance, but it was subtle and fleeting. I was skeptical, but I actually enjoyed it.
- Don’t miss out on the garlic wine! Gilroy’s own Rapazzini winery often pours samples of two different garlic-infused wines, Chateau de Garlic Red and Chateau de Garlic White.
- Save space to enjoy in the Gourmet Alley, tents selling garlic cooked foods that were the star of the event. These include pepper fillet sandwiches, Italian sausages, and thick, buttery slices of garlic bread.
- Stop to watch the “Pyro Chefs” and the massive flames they light as they prepare meals for Gourmet Alley. Pulsing rock music chronicles his spectacular performance.
- Check out the quirky arts and crafts vendors, many including garlic-inspired home goods, clothing, and art.
- Go ahead and be careful not to overeat. Spicy and fried foods can be hard to bear. Take regular breaks to enjoy culinary lectures and musical performances, and try to leave the festival before it is fully booked. Thank you later!
The Gilroy Garlic Festival
July 29-31, 2016
Parque Christmas Hill, 7050 Miller Ave., Gilroy, CA
Website: http://gilroygarlicfestival.com/
